The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on Nigerians with brilliant, practical innovative technological ideas that would improve justice system efficiency and credibility to come forward with such innovations.
Fagbemi made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at an event tagged “JusticeTechNG HACKATHON and Accelerator Demo Day.”
The event was organised by the Special Assistant to the President on Justice Sector Reform, ICT/Digital and Innovative Technology, Mr Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, in collaboration with JusticeTech Nigeria Ltd/Gte and Arravo Technology Ltd that drew justice stakeholders and tech experts in the country.
Fagbemi, SAN, disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Justice has embarked on tangible steps to embed technology into justice sector administration toward optimal efficient performance.
The move, he said has demonstrated the ministry’s commitment to the implementation of the Electronic Content Management System (ECMS).
According to Fagbemi, who chaired the occasion, the move represents a significant public investment, reflecting the government’s recognition that building institutional capacity requires not only human resources but also technological infrastructure.
In his speech, the AGF noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda recognises a fundamental truth: that national development depends ultimately on trust.
At the occasion, Fagbemi, SAN, stated further that: “The ECMS is aimed at fundamentally improving how we track documents, how we maintain institutional memory so that knowledge is not lost when personnel change.
It also about how we enhance efficiency in prosecutorial and advisory functions, and how we strengthen accountability by creating auditable records of actions and decisions.
“JusticeTechNG Demo Day gathering represents far more than a routine ceremony or a perfunctory acknowledgement of innovation.
“It reflects a deliberate and strategic choice by the justice sector to engage the future with clarity, discipline, and purpose. It is not a celebration of technology for its own sake, nor is it an uncritical embrace of digital solutions simply because they are novel or fashionable.
“Rather, it is a practical and considered engagement with the fundamental question of how innovation can strengthen our institutions, expand opportunity for our citizens, and deepen the rule of law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We are here because we recognise that the challenges facing our justice system demand not only commitment and resources, but also creativity, adaptability, and the intelligent application of technology to age-old problems of access, efficiency, and accountability.
“JusticeTechNG was designed to solve a real and persistent problem that has plagued not only Nigeria but justice systems across the developing world.
“Across our justice sector, we have an abundance of talent that lacks access to institutional platforms.
“We have brilliant ideas that have no clear pathways to adoption within government structures. We have innovations that are demonstrated at conferences and workshops, applauded in academic settings, and then quietly filed away, never to move beyond the proof-of-concept stage into actual implementation.
Senator Shaibu Salisu, Chairman Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Justice Olayinka Faji and Justice Kashim Zannah , the CJ Borno State all gave goodwill messages.
There were also award presentations representing the adoption of technology-driven reforms and commitment to innovation among others to deserving personalities and institutions by the organiser.
In a brief remarks, the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, assured that the tech solution will, among other things, enhance case and broader judicial reforms.
Represented by Justice Okon Abang, the president stated further:”The best tech tool for the justice sector should be users- friendly and be able to solve adjudication-related challenges.”
Giving a welcome address earlier, Obiene who is the Special Assistant to the President on Justice Sector Reform and ICT/Digital and Innovative Technology, said: “the accelerator program tailored for the justice sector will outlive us ,”
“The move is in line with the President Bola Tinubu, who believes in Nigeria investing in Nigeria businesses.
“We are getting our people to invest more and participate more. We want justice centre and sectoral actors to show interest too. The outcome will improve credibility and access and make people buy into the vision. We are hoping that our people will invest more and participate more.
“We are also given prices ranging from N10 million, N7 million, and N5 million for the first, second, and third position respectively to the Hackathon.” Obiene said.